City demolishes STL outlets

The City Government of Davao demolished Small Town Lottery (STL) branches after it was found out that these had been put up on sidewalks.

Since last week, the Ancillary Service Unit (ASU) has been conducting the operation that resulted in the demolition of 11 STL outlets in Puan, Obrero, Uyanguren, and Toril.

ASU head Paul Bermejo said the series of operation is within the mandate of Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio to clear the sidewalks, or within the 100-meter radius from schools and places of worship, of unauthorized stalls such as STL outlets.

“Ang instruction ni Mayor nga dapat dili sila mag pwesto sa sidewalk ug sa taas sa canal, ug dapat dili sila mag pwesto within the 100-meter radius from schools and places of worship (The mayor’s instruction was these should not be put up along the sidewalk and above canals.

It should not also be located within the 100meter radius from schools and places of worship),” Bermejo said.

He said his office received complaints on the violations committed by the STL operators concerned.

Bermejo clarified that it is not enough for stores or STL outlets to have business permits from the City Government because they also have to make sure that the structures do not violate the local laws.

“We talked to the employees of the STL and Lotto outlet about their violations and why we are doing this. They have violated the law and our office is tasked to do our job,” he said.

Davao City has been strictly implementing the 1/3-2/3 policy on sidewalks, wherein the 2/3 is allocated for passersby. /